Just pretend I took the time to write an authors note thanking everyone who reviewed, shamelessly asking you to review this chapter, and apologizing for taking so long. Oh and also include that I'm sorry this chapter is kind of short but I had to stop at the cliffhanger, so...

No one slept for very long, Nico included. They were up hours before they needed to be prepared to meet Ryland. It was quiet and awkward, with a nervous energy in the air. Everyone was on edge, that much was obvious. Not much happened while they waited, mostly toying with weapons and pacing. Finally, they decided it was time to get in position and left the base behind to hit the location Pen had previously promised they'd be at.

"Nico, Cassie, Fallon- hide and be ready to attack." David said. The two girls scurried off into the corners of the building, vanishing from Nico's sight. Nico himself sunk into the shadows of the wall, making himself unnoticeable.

"And we do what?" Bea asked.

"Act normal." David said. "He's expecting to drop in on unsuspecting demigods and take control without a struggle. If he doesn't find that, he won't risk coming in."

Bea nodded. "So we're bait. Did you at least bring a board game or something?"

"I brought a deck of cards." David said.

"Close enough. Come on, I'll smoke your asses in go fish." Bea said. David sat down by her and shuffled a deck of cards. Patrick joined them while Pen hovered nervously nearby. "Pen?" Bea asked. "You playing."

"I actually think maybe I should go keep watch outside." Pen improvised. "That way I can warn you when he's coming."

Bea was about to protest, but David nodded. "Okay. Stay out of sight and come in when he gets here."

"Will do." Pen said. "See ya, Bea-bear." She leaned and kissed Bea's cheek before scurrying out of the building.

Bea watched her go. "Do you think-"

"She'll be fine." Patrick said. "She's only a few steps away. Now, do you have any twos?"

Pen found Ryland's van in a short time, and he was waiting by it, leaning against the side casually.

"You look awfully confident." She said.

He nodded. "Making a big catch. What do I have to be worried about. You haven't given me anything to be worried about, have you, Penny-Poo?" He put a hand on her arm and she flinched away, quickly stepping back and out of his reach.

"No." She said. "But there is something we need to talk about."

Ryland raised and eyebrow. "What's that? Certainly not going back on me, are you?"

Pen shook her head. "I want to add something to our deal."

"Deal's a deal. You're in no position to change that." Ryland said.

"The blonde girl in the wheel chair- leave her alone. Don't touch her, don't hurt her, just let one go." Pen demanded, ignoring him.

"Let one go? Why would I do that?" Ryland responded.

"Because I say so."

Ryland chuckled. "You have no leverage anymore sweetheart, you're already here, everything is already in place."

"Wanna bet?" Pen pulled out a dagger, brandishing it in front of her.

Ryland seemed unfazed. He pulled the gun stashed in his belt, absentmindedly twirling it around in his fingers. "You really think you can hurt me?"

Pen smiled a little. "No. But I can get rid of your live bait." In a swift movement she held the dagger before her own throat.

"Clever, aren't you?" Ryland chuckled. "Guess I didn't give you enough credit."

"So, amending the deal?" Pen said, not moving the dagger.

"What makes you think you can trust me?" Ryland said.

"Nothing." Pen replied. "I know you are a dishonest low life bastard. But you wouldn't break an oath on the River Styx."

Ryland eyed her, like he was appraising his prey before an attack. "And what if I call your bluff?"

"Bluff?"

Ryland chuckled. "You already endangered all these demigods to save your own skin. Why would you suddenly become miss self sacrifice?"

"Things change." Pen said.

"But do they change that much?" Ryland taunted. "Do I really believe you'd kill yourself to protect someone?"

Would she? Could she? Honestly, Pen had no idea. But she didn't let that show. She kept her expression calm and confident. "But would you really take that risk? You need me. If I'm gone, you go against six demigods without any safety mechanism. You'll be beaten. No, with those odds, you wouldn't even try. If I'm gone, you loose your whole catch. So what's it going to be- risk everything on your hunch I'm bluffing, or get away with five demigods?"

Ryland kept his arrogance about him, but the moment of hesitation was enough the let Pen know she had won. "Fine."

"Swear it."

Ryland help up a hand mockingly. "I swear on the River Styx that I will not hurt the demigod in the wheelchair nor you, as long as you participate as planned. Now drop the knife."

Pen dropped the knife, and in seconds Ryland had swooped in behind her and grabbed ahold of her, putting his gun against her head. "No more stunts now." He said.

Pen didn't bother responding. She had no stunts left to pull. This was it. She was a horrible, selfish person, and she was about to cause the death of five demigods. Shit.

"How many games in a row have I won now? Oh that's right, all of them." Bea boasted, reshuffling the cards. "Want to try something else? Crazy eights? Poker?"

"After last time?" Patrick said. "We are never playing poker again ever. I think I'm still in debt to you."

Bea shrugged. "Go fish again then."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Bea dropped the cards. "Hello?"

"It's just Pen." Came Pen's voice.

Bea let out a sigh of relief. "Something wrong?"

"No. I just need to get in for a second."

"Partick go let her in." Bea commanded. Patrick walked over and opened the door. Before anyone could react someone rammed the butt of a gun into his forehead and he crumbled to the floor, unconscious. David was immediately on his feet with weapon drawn, while Bea had a bow and arrow from under the table notched and ready to fire.

Ryland stepped inside confidently, one thick arm wrapped round Pen's neck and the other positioning the gun to blow her brains out. "Hi." Pen mumbled. "So there may be a slight obstacle."

"Pen!" Bea aimed the bow at Ryland's neck. "Listen, let her go-"

"Or you'll fire?" Ryland finished. "Want to see who can fire faster? I have a clean shot on your friend here."

Bea was seething. She didn't fire, but she didn't lower her weapon either.

"So," Ryland said, "Why don't all your friends come out from hiding?"

"No one is-" David began.

"5… 4… 3…" Ryland said over him. Fallon gracefully slipped down from her hiding spot, Cassie following, and Nico emerging from his shrouded corner. Ryland grinned. "Good. Now weapons, down."

"Let her go first." Bea replied evenly, not moving her bow.

"2…"

Bea dropped the weapon, and everyone else reluctantly followed suit.

"Good." Ryland responded. "Kick them away." Again, the demigods obliged. Ryland smiled. "Now we can properly talk." He leaned casually against the doorway, but kept Pen in place. "How's everyone doing?"

Pen's mind was racing and her heart was pounding. Penelope Vanderbilt had never run into a situation she couldn't get out through money, hard work, or running away. All three of which she could handle. But during no time in her life had she been taught how to deal with gun wielding maniacs trying to kill innocent people with your help. She spent the last day dreading this moment. And no amount of romantic gestures would make it up. Even if Ryland kept the agreement and spared Bea, the girl would never look at her the same again. And Bea aside, Pen wasn't sure she could ever forgive herself. She never had many friends; she always looked out for herself. Penelope was a survivor. How often had she disregarded others for her own gain? Was she selfish? Oh hell yes. But could she really go this far. Lives were at stake. Everything had changed. All the times she had told herself she had to go through with this seemed meaningless.

All these thoughts ran through Pen's head in an instant. And the second she came to a decision, she acted. Before Ryland could say another word, she slammed her elbow into his gut. He was startled enough, that she could duck under his gun arm and knee him in the crotch. He recovered rapidly this time though, and had her shoved to the floor with his foot on her chest before she could fight back. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the others begin to scramble for their weapons. Pen heard Bea call out to her.

"Bad choice, Pennyblossom." Ryland said, gun pointed at her face.

A middle-aged woman in good shape jogged around the corner. The street she turned onto was unfamiliar. It looked rather empty too. She took out her headphones to observe the scene. "Sketchy." She muttered. A bang filled the air. She stopped her jogging immediately. She could've sworn it was a gunshot she'd just heard. "Damn gangs." She shook her head and turned around.